This testing rig serves as an excellent platform to validate control strategies for highly coupled systems. Each heater output has some effect on every lower surface, making the system very sensitive to changes in input. It is currently being used to compare PI control against a new biologically inspired control strategy.
I designed, fabricated, wired, aligned and constructed this test rig. I also design and wired the electrical enclosure box which converts very low pulse width modulation signals into high voltage inputs for the radiant heaters. This test rig is used to validate control strategies using which were written in Labview. This is the third design revision and uses radiant emitters for the heaters and anodized aluminum plates.
